Hillman adopts water, sewer and garbage rates; adds $4.75 monthly water‑testing fee

The Village of Hillman Council on March 18 adopted Resolution 2025‑04 establishing updated water, sewer and garbage rates and a $4.75 monthly water‑testing fee that will appear on April water bills (to be mailed about May 1, 2025).

The resolution, which the Council adopted after waiving a formal reading, cites increased testing requirements imposed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and imposes a $4.75 monthly fee on residential, commercial and industrial water customers to defray those costs. The resolution states the fee applies beginning with the April 2025 water service billing.

Key provisions in Resolution 2025‑04 include residential and commercial buy‑in deposits and minimums: a residential new hook‑up buy‑in of $750 (plus the cost of running the service line to the property line) and a $1,000 buy‑in for commercial or industrial connections. Residential customers will be billed a base rate of $17.25 per month for up to 2,900 gallons, with additional water billed at $3.60 per 1,000 gallons. Large commercial users (over 50,000 gallons per quarter) have a higher monthly base ($27.25) with the same per‑1,000‑gallon incremental charge.

Sewer charges are set separately: residential sewer is $19.25 per month for a 3,400‑gallon minimum, apartment units $17.25 per unit for a 2,500‑gallon minimum, and incremental sewer usage billed at $2.75–$3.00 per 1,000 gallons depending on user class. Garbage collection remains a weekly curbside service charged at $10.75 per month; households may opt out and may purchase $2.50 stickers for extra bags beyond the set limits.

Jan McMurray, a village staff member, noted the Consumer Confidence Report work and reported that Lead action levels have been lowered from 15 parts per billion to 12 parts per billion effective Jan. 1, 2025, which the resolution cites as part of the reason for increased testing requirements.

The resolution also details restoration and renewal fees (restoration $50, renewal after seasonal shutoffs $25) and meter damage charges assessed to customers when not caused by normal use. It directs billing procedures, late fees (10% after the 15th of the month, additional 1% after the first of the following month) and provides that property owners guarantee unpaid bills for tenants.

Council recorded AYES as Orlandi, Bouchey, Smith and Hornbacher and passed the measure by unanimous vote. The Council directed staff to include the $4.75 testing fee on April water bills and to update the billing system to reflect the new rates.

The resolution text is included in the meeting record; staff were assigned to implement billing updates and notify customers as required.